Good Trouble - About Us

About Us

Good Trouble advances youth nonviolent organizing to help schools and communities cultivate the core conditions that motivate young people to thrive. Research — and youth themselves — show that when these needs are met, youth become more engaged, connected, and ready to lead.

Belonging: Feeling seen, supported, and valued through positive relationships with adults and peers.
Purpose: Knowing your voice matters — and being able to make a difference in your school, community, and the world beyond yourself.
Power: Gaining real-world experience, leadership opportunities, and pathways that allow young people to shape decisions, influence systems, and lead change.

OUR MISSION

Good Trouble advances youth nonviolent organizing as a unifying practice of democracy.

OUR VISION

We envision an America that keeps its promise — a nation where every young person experiences belonging, purpose and power, where democracy is practiced daily in schools, communities and civic life, and where all generations engage in their unique and shared pursuit of happiness.

Meet the Founders

JOSE PEREZ

Chief Troublemaker / Executive Director

Prior to GOOD TROUBLE, Jose Perez was a founding executive, policy director and board member of Bridgemakers, a youth-led Minnesota nonprofit. His struggles with conventional education inspired his passion for transforming schooling. An English learner with dyslexia, Jose failed the first and ninth grades and has justice system experience. He’s the son of a father deported to El Salvador when he was one and raised by a single mother, a Guatemalan immigrant.
Jose also launched and co-led Bridgemakers’ Transforming Schools to Transform Lives initiative. He has testified five times against closing teacher licensure pathways at the Minnesota Legislature. Jose has presented at several national conferences, including Reclaiming Youth at Risk, Education Reimagined, Annie E. Casey Foundation and Bush Foundation. An R&B artist and St. Paul native, he’s a graduate of the High School for Recording Arts in St. Paul.

JULIAN SPENCER

Movement Lead / Vice President

Prior to GOOD TROUBLE, Julian co-led the Transforming Schools to Transform Lives initiative as policy coordinator at Bridgemakers. His passion for disrupting the school to prison pipeline comes from facing adversity early. Julian’s five years of troublemaking and justice system involvement began as a 6th-grader when he was expelled from school. Becoming a father at 16 sparked his desire to help other youth avoid similar struggles.
Julian also serves on Hennepin County’s Youth Advisory Board and co-chairs Youthprise’s Policy fellowship. He’s presented at 5 conferences, including the Aspen Institute, Reclaiming Youth at Risk and High Tech High Graduate School of Education and testified twice at the Minnesota Legislature. Julian is a graduate of North High School in Minneapolis and the proud father of a three-year-old daughter.